Worksop: Schoolgirl left concussed in a playground accident denied 100 per cent attendance prize by school

Sophie Wills

A ‘distraught’ Worksop pupil has been denied a 100 per cent attendance record after missing half a day of school due to getting concussion in a playground accident.

Chloe Kirkham, age seven, attends Kingston Primary School in Carlton-in-Lindrick and was looking forward to being rewarded with a £10 voucher for her faultless attendance.

But the youngster was left ‘upset and empty-handed’ when she got hit on the head with a ball in the playground and was sent home with concussion. Though she made it to class the next day, Chloe has now been refused the full attendance award by teachers.

Chloe’s mum, Lara Kirkham, of Willow Avenue, told the Guardian: “I had taken Chloe to school every day so I didn’t understand why her name wasn’t called out during the assembly where the awards are presented to the children.

“Chloe is a Grade A student who absolutely loves going to school along with her five-year-old sister. She was really looking forward to being recognised for attending school every day and was ever so upset.

“I went to the principal of the school who explained that Chloe did not qualify for the full attendance award as she had missed half a day of school when she got concussion.

“I asked if she would make an exception for Chloe considering the circumstances but was told that the school operate a strict policy and there were plenty of other children in Chloe’s situation who had missed out on the award.

“We just feel it’s so unfair Chloe has been refused a full attendance record and the voucher, which were well deserved, for reasons that are beyond her control.

“It might seem a little thing to others, but it was a big deal for Chloe.”